ATLANTA -

Along with some surprising price movement for certified pre-owned models, AutoTrader.com noticed interesting consumer trends although fuel prices are on an upward track.

According to AutoTrader.com’s January Trend Engine Report, trucks and SUVs accounted for 12 of the top 20 most-searched used vehicles, 11 of the top 20 most-searched CPO models and nine of the top 20 most-searched new units.

What struck site analysts was how this traffic came despite the average price for a gallon of gas rising above $3 and reports that it could soon top $4 per gallon.

“With automakers debuting many small cars in 2011 — combined with predictions about the future cost of fuel — the battle of the small cars could really heat up this year,” AutoTrader.com president and chief executive officer Chip Perry speculated.

“However, our site traffic for the past couple of months clearly indicates that $3 per gallon isn’t enough to dissuade American consumers from large vehicles in the large numbers we’ve seen during previous gas price spikes,” Perry continued in the report that’s intended to provide in-depth analysis of shopping behavior and trends monthly based on activity and listings at AutoTrader.com.

In examining previous times of rising gas prices, AutoTrader.com analysts noted that $3.50 per gallon may be a tipping point for consumers. They believe that’s where searches for trucks and SUVs can start to decline and searches for more fuel efficient cars begin to increase.

“Every time there’s a spike in gas prices the ‘new normal’ for gas prices goes up, requiring even higher prices to encourage consumers to alter their car shopping patterns,” Perry explained.

“When gas prices crossed $2 per gallon, we saw an increase in interest in smaller fuel efficient cars,” Perry went on to say. “Two years ago when gas prices went really high, that interest was magnified dramatically.

“Right now, consumers seem relatively comfortable with the price of gas, which pushes other things to the top of their consideration lists when shopping for a car — things like utility, style and size,” Perry added. “If gas prices continue to creep up, there is a price at which more consumers will again put fuel economy back at the top of their car-shopping list and we will likely see that change in activity very early on our site.”

Certified Pre-Owned Prices Take a Dip

While popular with consumers, AutoTrader.com indicated average asking prices for CPO vehicles took a noticeable dip in January.

Analysts determined prices were down on 13 out of the top 20 most-searched CPO vehicles on AutoTrader.com. Three vehicles saw average asking price decreases of more than 7 percent with the certified Toyota Highlander dropping 7.5 percent from $26,018 in January 2010 to $24,065 last month.

Meanwhile, AutoTrader.com found the price for a certified Ford F-150 decreasing 10.1 percent year-over-year from $26,226 to $23,569. Another model from that brand sunk even more as the site spotted a 10.7-percent drop on a certified Ford Mustang, moving down from $22,132 to $19,756.

On the list of most-searched CPO vehicles for January, AutoTrader.com said trucks and SUVs accounted for seven of the eight price decreases of more than 5 percent. However, the site pointed out all seven of those trucks and SUVs rose more than 5 percent year-over-year, according to average asking prices from December.

“So the January dip could simply represent a return to normalcy for trucks and SUVs in the CPO market,” AutoTrader.com offered.

The site mentioned the last time that the majority of average asking prices for CPO vehicles took a year-over-year dip was during September of last year.  That time, analysts found it turned out to be an anomaly as prices rebounded nicely the next month.

“Throughout the last half of 2010, we were seeing asking prices increase steadily across the board, which really points to healthy signs for the economy,” Perry surmised. “Prices increase when demand is up and sales are healthy. 

“Overall, January was a great month for auto sales, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on the average asking prices for CPO vehicles in February to see if this is an anomaly or if the prices continue to fall,” he added.

Average Asking Prices Healthy for New and Used

AutoTrader.com contends that the average asking prices for new vehicles in January reinforce the notion the industry recovery is well underway.

Analysts noticed asking prices were up on 14 of the top 20 new vehicles with four vehicles seeing an increase of more than 4 percent year-over-year. Three of those four vehicles were Fords:

—F-150: an increase of 4.4 percent from $36,053 to $37,649.

—Mustang: an increase of 4.6 percent from $32,564 to $34,082.

—Explorer: an increase of 7.2 percent from $35,496 to $38,047.

The new unit that AutoTrader.com noticed making the largest year-over-year price jump was the Hyundai Sonata — an 11.47 percent rise from $21,237 to $23,673.

On the used-vehicle front, AutoTrader.com said the prevailing 2010 trends continued in January.  Prices for the majority of used vehicles continued to rise in the face of still-limited supply and strong demand. 

All told, analysts learned that prices were up on 16 of the top 20 most-searched used vehicles. They indicated trucks and SUVs accounted for all of the year-over-year average asking price increases of more than 4 percent, including

—Dodge Ram 2500: a 4.1-percent increase from $24,101 to $25,099.

—Toyota Tundra: a 4.3-percent increase from $21,830 to $22,783.

—Chevrolet Silverado 1500: a 4.6-percent increase from $18,793 to $19,664.

—Jeep Wrangler: a 4.6-percent increase from $19,123 to $20,017.

—Ford Explorer: a 4.7-percent increase from $15,378 to $16,106.

—Ford F-250: a 5.8-percent increase $23,069 to $24,406.

Search Trends for Used, CPO and New Models

AutoTrader.com determined Ford was the No. 1 most-searched brand on its site for new and used vehicles in January. Officials discovered the only change for the most-searched vehicle brands was that Volkswagen edged out Hyundai in January to take the No. 10 spot on the list of new-car brands. They indicated those two brands have been in a months-long battle for a spot in the top 10.

The site found there was little change in the lists of the most-searched used vehicles and most-searched CPO models month-over-month.  With only slight position changes here and there, AutoTrader.com there was only one newcomer to each of the top 20 pre-owned lists month-over-month — and both were Ford vehicles.

On the list of the most-searched used vehicles, analysts pointed out the Ford Explorer rose three places month-over-month to the No. 19 spot. On the list of most-searched CPO vehicles, they noted the Ford Mustang also rose three places month-over-month, landing at No. 18.

AutoTrader.com indicated the certified Audi A4 was the only vehicle on the list of most-searched CPO units in January that was not in the top 20 a year ago. The site said the A4 moved up three places year-over-year, from No. 21 in January 2010 to No. 18 last month. 

On the list of the top 20 most-searched new vehicles on AutoTrader.com in January, there were five newcomers to the list month-over-month.

Analysts shared that the new Chevrolet Camaro came in at No. 11, up 10 spots month-over-month. They found the new Ford Explorer settled at No. 13, up an impressive 31 places from December.

AutoTrader.com also noted:

—The new Chevrolet Corvette leapt eight places to land at No. 17.

—The new Toyota Tacoma moved up five places to the No. 19 spot.

—The new Hyundai Sonata crept up four places to the No. 20 position.

“Of these newcomers, only the Hyundai Sonata has been aggressively marketed for its fuel economy,” AutoTrader.com pointed out.

Additionally, the site discovered three out of the four vehicles that leapt 25 or more places year-over-year were SUVs. AutoTrader.com said the new Honda CR-V jumped 25 places to the No. 8 spot. The new Ford Explorer moved up an astounding 93 places, from 106 in January 2010 to No. 13 last month. And the new Jeep Grand Cherokee rose 33 places to the No. 14 spot.

“Again, the fuel-efficient Hyundai Sonata was the only sedan to show such impressive growth on the list, moving up 30 places year-over-year,” AutoTrader.com emphasized.

Record Site Traffic in January

As the site announced previously, AutoTrader.com attracted 17.4 million unique monthly visitors in January, an all-time record for traffic to the site.

Analysts indicated the 17.4 million unique monthly visitors in January was a 9-percent lift from the year-ago reading of 15.98 million unique visitors. AutoTrader.com’s previous record was 16.8 million unique monthly visitors set in May of last year.

The site attributed its aggressive marketing strategy as the key element to driving shoppers to the site to research and compares vehicles, find dealer specials, read auto reviews and other auto-themed content and find inventory of vehicles in their areas.

“Our strong marketing programs, combined with the increasing momentum in the auto industry, has resulted in traffic to our site continually increasing year-over-year, making AutoTrader.com among the top sites that in-market shoppers visit to research and compare cars and find their next vehicle,” Perry declared.

“And with nearly 3 million listings on our site, shoppers are sure to find the car that their heart and mind can agree on,” he added.

Top 10 Articles on AutoTrader.com in January

AutoTrader.com revealed most-viewed stories on its site last month were: 

1. 1997 – 2003 Ford F-150 – Used Car Review: an in-depth look at the best-selling truck in America.  

2. 2008 – 2010 Honda Accord – Used Car Review: this perennial favorite remains one of the best used-car values in the market.

3. 2007 – 2010 Jeep Wrangler – Used Car Review: this generation of Wranglers are hailed as the largest, most civilized and safest in the model’s history.

4. 10 Most Significant Cars of 2010: 10 vehicles that made significant contributions to the industry and set new expectations for buyers.

5. Rocker Bret Michaels Heats up Facebook for 2011 Ford Explorer: the glam rocker takes on MyFord Touch in a video.

6. 2011 Ford Explorer – New Car Review: larger and lighter than previous model years, the 2011 Explorer continues grabbing consumer interest.

7. New 2012 Civic Trims to Roll Out in Quick Succession: unlike in previous years, all variants of the 2012 Civic will be available within a few weeks of its debut.

8. Hypermiler Drives Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Across USA on One Tank: renowned high-mileage driver averaged 60 mpg in the Sonata on a cross-country trip.

9. An Icon Turns 50: The Jaguar E-Type: the E-Type’s gold anniversary will be celebrated worldwide.

10. Small Cars Take a Back Seat to Crossovers: crossover sales are heading north while the small car segment still waits to heat up.

These articles and more can be found at www.autotrader.com/research.